In 2013, when I was working with Mr. Kamran Sheikh, we had filed a petition before the SC under Art 184(3) of the Constitution on behalf of Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Network seeking enforcement of the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities in #Pakistan

The petition was drafted in People-First Language & sought interpretation of constitutional rights in the context of disability, relying on the rights-based approach enunciated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (Ratified by Pakistan in 2011)

The petition raised no. of issues faced by persons w/ disabilities (PWDs), including lack of accessibile buildings, public places, educational & transport facilities, non-enforcement of employment quotas, paucity of comprehensive official data regarding prevalence of disability

During past 7 years the SC passed several directions pertaining to the issues raised in the petition, including directions for enforcement of statutory employment quotas for PWDs & for carrying out a comprehensive countrywide disability survey (by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics)

On 14.07.20 the petition was finally disposed of with the following directions:

1. All vacant posts in the employment quota of the Fed & Provincial govts shall be advertised & filled

2. Laws (from 1981 onwards) related to employment & rehabilitation of PWDs shall be implemented

3. The Federal govt & all Provincial govts shall ensure the establishment of grievance redressal mechanisms to redress grievances of PWDs

4. The Federal & Provincial govts, PEMRA, PTV, PBS and PBA shall raise awareness about the rights of PWDs through public service broadcasts

5. The Federal & Provincial govts and all development authorities throughout Pakistan shall ensure the enforcement of the Accessibility Code of Pakistan, 2006 (which provides comprehensive building standards for ensuring a barrier-free environment & safe and easy access for PWDs)

6. All road transport authorities shall ensure that public transport is made accessible for PWDs

7. All transport & development authorities shall provide accessible toilets and ramps at bus stands/stations, motorways & highways, and safe facilities for boarding of buses by PWDs

8. Pakistan Railways shall provide proper ramps and accessible toilets at all train stations and safe and reliable facilities for boarding of trains by PWDs

9. All concerned authorities & agencies at the Federal & Provincial levels shall ensure the availability of the following for persons w/ disabilities:

(i) accessible parkings, toilets & ramps at all public parks

(ii) Accessible toilets & ramps in all malls & other public places

10. All development authorities shall ensure enforcement of PWDs' qoutas in allotment of residential plots & houses as provided in relevant laws

11. PBS shall publish (& periodically update) complete & accurate statistics regarding PWDs in Pakistan & upload them on its website